There’s a list with the names of more than a thousand children who are waiting for mentors.

According to Big Brothers Big Sisters Southeastern PA (BBBS SEPA), it takes just a few hours a month to fulfill that role. But who fits the profile of a Big Brother or Big Sister?

“At the core is just a desire to do something for kids,” BBBS SEPA CEO Marcus Allen said. Kids or no kids, corporate professional or custodian — there’s no mold — any “adult male or female committed to and passionate about helping kids” is encouraged to sign up.

With child safety at the forefront of the organization’s concerns, the volunteer acceptance process is a rigorous one, Allen said, filled with thorough background and reference checks.

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“It’s a tough process, and not everybody makes it through,” he said. “In order to be a part of this program, you really gotta bring it — show us you’re worthy of working with these kids.

“We’re looking for adults who can just be crazy about kids,” Allen continued. “Every kid deserves an adult to be crazy about them.”

Elvis Phillips, of Blue Bell, said he couldn’t imagine a better match than his Little Brother Travis, who was 8 when they met in 2010.

“We both enjoy being outdoors, playing basketball and football. We like going to Dave & Buster’s and baseball games. He’s a little academic as well and enjoys going to Barnes and Noble to read books,” Phillips said. “We both love eating. We laugh at the same stuff. He’s a very smart kid, a very good kid.”

Phillips, who serves on the Montgomery County Regional Advisory Board for BBBS SEPA, was volunteering for United Way through his employer, The Vanguard Group, when he met a Big Brother who encouraged him to sign up.

“Working with kids has always been something I enjoyed doing,” Phillips, who’s also involved in Vanguard’s Junior Achievement Company Program that teaches students to plan and operate a real business, said.

Even now that Phillips and his wife are new parents, he remains committed to Travis.

“I’ve heard people say, ‘Kids nowadays,’ and there’s always something (negative) to follow that,” Phillips said. “Well, you see a problem, so become a part of the solution.

“(Children are) our future, and we’ve got to make strides now to give them the best possible chance for success. And it’s gotta start with us.”

Laura Beverley, of Norristown, shares Phillips’ sense of moral obligation to youth. She’s been matched with 13-year-old Tesha, of Norristown, for more than two years.

“I was blessed to have a very loving family, and I know a lot of kids don’t get that opportunity,” Beverley said. “There are a lot of young people that are challenged by difficult situations, and I hope that I’m a good influence to (Tesha) and able to help her make good decisions.”

Beverley, who works as a project coordinator at a Norristown architectural firm, volunteers at Coordinated Homeless Outreach Center (CHOC) in Norristown and leads a program called Fifth Sunday at Storehouse Church in Plymouth Meeting.

When Beverley “felt called to go and serve” at an orphanage in Africa, her Little Sister was “really supportive” of her efforts to serve locally and globally, she said.

“I try and open up her eyes a lot to helping others. We’ve put together goodie baskets for Laurel House. I’ve taken her to the homeless shelter (CHOC). I’ve tried to reiterate that it’s just not all about us. (Volunteering) is a part of my life, and I hope that she’s able to give back in the future,” Beverley said.

The two document their good times together — Philadelphia Phillies and 76ers games, water parks and miniature golfing, swimming and bowling, baking, making friendship bracelets and painting their nails — in a photo scrapbook Beverley gave Tesha for her birthday.

Beverley said that in addition to serving as a role model, she tries to also be a “good friend” and provide a “listening ear” to her Little Sister, and her efforts have not gone unnoticed.

“One day we were driving and (Tesha said), ‘I know you’re my Big Sister, but I really feel like you’re my friend.’”

BBBS is the “only mentoring organization model in the country that’s evidence-based,” Allen said. “That means our approach, our practices have been thoroughly researched, and it’s proven that they have significant results.”

In building on that solid foundation and proven success rate, BBBS SEPA has partnered with the Montgomery County Public Defender’s office to initiate an innovative pilot project called Back on Track.

Funded by a grant from The Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency and supported by Montgomery County District Attorney Risa Ferman, Back on Track is the first program in Pennsylvania designed to match eligible juvenile clients with Big Brothers and Big Sisters.

In two years’ time, Back on Track will engage 60 Montgomery County kids, ages 11 to 15, who’ve been adjudicated delinquent in juvenile court. The program is being spearheaded by Montgomery County Chief Public Defender Keir Bradford-Grey, who called it a “grassroots effort” advocating for Norristown youth.

Bradford-Grey said the need for such a program became clear as she reviewed “some of the crimes being committed by Montgomery County youth and asked their parents to fill out assessment sheets.

“What we found is that kids routinely had very little interests or hobbies and no real role models consistent in their lives, and as a result, they’re constantly making decisions that land them in the juvenile justice system,” she said.

“We also looked at their recidivism rates. They could come in on minor offenses, but they’re coming back on violations and committing even more crimes and then their penalties become more severe.

“We’re always trying to advocate the best solution for our clients,” Bradford-Grey said, “and our goal is to improve the outcomes for our kids.”

Back on Track is under way as of July 1. Bradford-Grey’s office and BBBS SEPA have already attracted volunteers and matched Bigs and Littles under the program.

How to help, who to call

BBBS SEPA will hold a Volunteer Orientation Session at 6 p.m. Aug. 28 at the Norristown office, located at 530 DeKalb St. Those who’d like to attend must RSVP prior to the meeting. Call 215-790-9200.

The annual Golf Classic & Auction benefitting BBBS SEPA will be held Sept. 16 at the Philadelphia Cricket Club. For more information on foursomes or to become a sponsor, contact Erin at ekuchar@bbbssepa.org.

For more information about being a Big, contact Garfield Jackson at 484-804-2457 or email gjackson@bbbssepa.org.

To learn more about mentoring for Back on Track, contact Kari Rowe at 484-684-1155 or email krowe@bbbssepa.org.